Lids to play in International Rules series

[mightytiges]

On "the run home" on SEN Anthony Hudson mentioned that Deledio will be playing in the international rules series against Ireland. Apparently the RFC were very keen for Lids to play.

It must be the first year in ages that Browny isn't playing in it .

[Fishfinger]

Probably the first time that a first-year player has made the side. 

[Razorblade]

Cool, i might have a reason to watch it afterall! 

Poor Browny, he owns the International Rules games!

[mightytiges]

Probably the first time that a first-year player has made the side. 

I think you're right FF. Normally it's some of the AA team plus a few senior ring-ins from all the clubs who are quick and agile. Lids played in a junior tour of Ireland (U16's) didn't he?

Give Tambo a run as well. The Irish are quick but not that quick  .

[one-eyed]

Star Deledio keeps rising
01 October 2005 
 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens

BRETT Deledio is poised to cap a stunning debut year with selection in the Australian squad for next month's International Rules Series.

The 18-year-old No. 1 draft pick and winner of the AFL's Rising Star award, will be part of a new-look national squad to be announced next week.

It is understood the Tigers happily rubber-stamped Deledio's selection, believing the experience gained outweighs any burnout or injury fears.

Deledio has already confronted Ireland in the under-17 series and has the ideal combination of pace and skill for the hybrid game.

He joins Chris Newman as the Tigers' representatives in the two-match showdown.

The team, for the first time not linked to All-Australian selection, will have a strong youth flavour.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,16774825%255E19742,00.html

[JohnF]

Finally we might have a player that will be able to match the Irish for pace.

[Tiger Spirit]

Built for speed
2:38:29 PM Mon 10 October, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au

Western Bulldogs' tagger Dale Morris is the shock inclusion in an Australian team built around speed for the upcoming Foster's International Rules Series against Ireland.

Australian coach Kevin Sheedy named his 26 man squad for the two Test series on Monday with the Aussies to head to Busselton in southern Western Australian for a training camp on Saturday, ahead of Friday week's first Test at Subiaco.

The Perth venue is already sold-out for the clash with the second Test to be played at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on October 28.

And footy fans will see a new-look Australian team after new coach Sheedy was given licence to hand-pick his own team after previous teams had been based on the All-Australian team plus a few additions.

But after Australia was humiliated by a total of 50 points in the two Tests in Ireland last year, this inflexibility was deemed no longer suitable as the Australians attempt to match Ireland in their area of greatest strength - leg speed.

"This (Australian team) is not so much a smash-and-crash team," Sheedy said, in comparison with past Australian teams which have attempted to use their extra physical strength to off-set the lighter, speedier Irish players.

"We have definitely gone for a speed team more so than the older, regulated, experienced AFL player."

"It was a tough task to build the team around the All-Australian team so we have had to ask (the AFL) to move that aside so we could have a crack at getting the right players into this team."

Just seven of the 26 players named on Monday have represented Australia at senior level before - Trent Croad, Matthew Lappin, Nathan Eagleton, Brent Harvey, Chris Johnson, Andrew McLeod and Daniel Wells.

Into the side in place of some of the experienced, big name players of past teams come noted quick players such as Brett Deledio, Lindsay Gilbee, Andrew Lovett, Aaron Davey and Sydney grand final hero Amon Buchanan.

But the big selection shock was Morris, who at the start of 2005 was not even on the Bulldogs senior list before establishing himself as the Bulldogs' number one tagger during the last 17 games of the season.

"Concentration, body, awareness and hunger," Sheedy said when asked what qualities the little-known 22-year-old would bring to the side.

"It's the same as Andrew Lovett (who also came off the rookie list) - we didn’t think he would end up near the top of Essendon's best and fairest 12 months ago."

Sheedy, who will coach the side for at least the next two years, is determined to erase the memory of last year's disappointing loss in Ireland as the Aussies look to level the ledger at four series wins apiece since the series resumed in 1998.

"It has taken me 25 years to get this gig," the Bombers' veteran coach said.

"You don't often get the chance to coach your country in AFL."

AFL chief executive Kevin Sheedy said the appointment of the hugely respected Sheedy as coach plus the change in selection criteria shows how determined the Australian team was to make up for its worst ever showing last year.

"Kevin has been given a mandate that is specifically designed to win this series," Demetriou said.

"We didn’t like losing last year and Kevin and his support group (of assistant coach Danny Frawley, chairman of selectors Gerard Healy, goalkeeping coach Stephen Silvagni and specialist coaches Jim and Brian Stynes) will no doubt put together a team which will be attuned to win this game."

The squad: Heath Black (Fremantle), Amon Buchanan (Sydney), Trent Croad (Hawthorn), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Nick Davis (Sydney), Brett Deledio (Richmond), Nathan Eagleton (Western Bulldogs), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs), Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs), Shannon Grant (Kangaroos), Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Chris Johnson (Brisbane Lions), Matthew Lappin (Carlton), Andrew Lovett (Essendon), Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Troy Makepeace (Kangaroos), Darren Milburn (Geelong), Brent Moloney (Melbourne), Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs), Chris Newman (Richmond), Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney), Russell Robertson (Melbourne), Jarrad Waite (Carlton), Daniel Wells (Kangaroos).

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=233885

[mightytiges]

Obviously Sheeds rates Newman.

They better put Sheeds in cotton wool otherwise Spud will be coaching lol.

[one-eyed]

Deledio's IR delight
2:38:38 PM Thu 13 October, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au

Brett Deledio has already had a 2005 to remember.

At just 18 years of age he entered AFL ranks under the pressure of being the country's number one draft pick, yet held up under that burden so well he became the first top pick to win the AFL's prestigious Rising Star award in his debut season.

Unlike many first year players, Deledio actually got better the longer the season went, and his effort to play all 22 games in his first season was outstanding.

You would think such an effort would mean a well-earned rest for the impressive teenager from Kyabram in central Victoria, but instead the speedy midfielder is in the 26- man squad which will leave for Western Australia on Saturday to represent Australia in the Foster's International Rules series against Ireland.

And Deledio could not be happier.

"Everyone wants to play for their country more than anything and I guess it does (cap off a big year)," he said on Thursday as 12 of the Australian squad gathered for a training session at Richmond's Punt Road Oval.

Deledio said Tigers coach Terry Wallace had encouraged his participation in the series, despite his gruelling first season in the big league, and admitted he was overawed when told by Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong that he had been chosen in the squad.

"Terry said it will be a good experience and just to go out there and enjoy it, and you certainly couldn't refuse playing for your country," he said.

"I was overawed to tell you the truth (when named in the squad) and I thought Paul Armstrong was joking when he told me, so I am rapt to be playing."

Deledio met some of his new teammates on Thursday as well as veteran Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, who will coach Australia for the first time.

Sheedy, ever the practical joker, butted in as Deledio faced the media on Thursday asking him what he thought of his coach to which the Tigers youngster quickly added: "He's a good bloke."

But Deledio said Sheedy was deadly serious about winning the series after Australia was humiliated by Ireland in Ireland last year and had given the players' strict instructions to spend as much time practising their skills with the round ball before they leave for Saturday's training camp in Western Australia ahead of the first Test in Perth on Friday week.

"He has just told us to make sure we stay fit and make sure we keep kicking the round ball so we can hit our targets all the time."

Deledio has the advantage of having played the hybrid game - which far more closely resembles Ireland's Gaelic Football than Australian Rules - at under-18 level for Australia, so he has an idea what to expect.

"It (playing the game before) does help because you know what the Irish are like and how the game runs, but obviously it will step up in pace this time playing against fully-grown men."

"And I think it's better that we have got a bit of speed into the side so we can run alongside the Irish guys because they are very quick."

http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=234181

[one-eyed]

Pacy Deledio an Eire apparent
By Lyall Johnson
The Age
October 14, 2005


Selected for Australia, Brett Deledio comes to grips with the round ball yesterday at Punt Road Oval.
Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

IT'S been a big year for Brett Deledio.

This time last year, the blond youngster from Kyabram was just another (albeit highly regarded) AFL hopeful awaiting his chance to have a crack at the AFL big-time.

Yesterday, in the company of some of the AFL's best, Deledio was training at Punt Road Oval in preparation for representing Australia against Ireland in the international rules series starting next week and was left to muse how short a year can be in football.

Even after winning the Rising Star award as the AFL's best first-year player, Deledio said the call-up took him by surprise.

"I was over-awed, to tell you the truth. I thought Paul Armstrong (Richmond's player manager) was just joking. I can't complain, I'm just stoked to be playing. I guess it does (cap off a big year)," he said yesterday.

Deledio's selection was no doubt helped by the fact he played international football for Australia as a junior against Ireland — and also because of his lightning pace, which was clearly on display when he won the grand final half-time sprint.

After criticism last year of the selection policy that targeted All-Australian players and then replaced them when the Irish chose a smaller, faster side, the national selectors this year opted for smaller running players more suited to the round-ball game, in which the ball is on the ground more often and which requires pace more than height and weight.

Deledio sees merit in the selection system put in place by new Australia coach Kevin Sheedy.

"I guess it's better to get a bit of speed in the side so we can run alongside with the Irish guys, because they are obviously very quick, so, yeah, I like the selection policy. (The Irish) just change direction like no other; they're flat-out, to tell you the truth," he said.

The injury-ravaged Irish squad, which arrives in Perth on Sunday, will train every day ahead of the first Test at Subiaco Oval on October 21 to prepare for the faster-paced Australians, according to John Tobin, the assistant to Ireland manager Peter McGrath.

"We will train every day after our arrival, so that by the time the first Test comes around, we are ready," Tobin said.

"The emphasis on training will be on ensuring that everyone is fully reacquainted with the nuances of 'rules' play. We want to adjust quickly.

"We know the Australians will be putting great emphasis on pace, so fitness and stamina will be crucial. Obviously we are very keen to retain the trophy which we won last year."

The Ireland side had a training session last weekend and McGrath, who said his squad was the best-prepared team to defend the Cormac McAnallen Trophy, has drawn up his blueprint for a concentrated training program.

"There is no longer a big difference between the fitness of our players and the Australian Rules players," McGrath said. "But at the end of a hard championship season for some of our squad members, it's vital that we should be ideally focused and ready for the challenge."

None of the AFL's current Irish contingent will be playing against Australia in the international rules series. Sydney Swans star Tadhg Kennelly has an ankle injury and Carlton rookies Aisake and Setanta O'hAilpin were left out of the Ireland squad.

With AHMER KHOKHAR

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/10/13/1128796653226.html

[Darth Tiger]

Probably the first time that a first-year player has made the side.

I think you're right FF. Normally it's some of the AA team plus a few senior ring-ins from all the clubs who are quick and agile. Lids played in a junior tour of Ireland (U16's) didn't he?

Give Tambo a run as well. The Irish are quick but not that quick .

Wells from North was selected either 1st or 2nd year.

Really looking forward to seeing Lids strut his stuff !

[one-eyed]

Injuries mar first hit-out
6:54:53 PM Sun 16 October, 2005
Paul Gough in Busselton
Exclusive to afl.com.au

Australia may have to call for replacements for its squad for the upcoming Foster's International Rules Series against Ireland after a dramatic intra-squad practice match on Sunday at the team's training camp in southern Western Australia.

The team's first intensive hit-out since arriving in Busselton on Saturday resulted in injuries to Kangaroos' defender Troy Makepeace, Richmond's 2005 NAB Rising Star winner Brett Deledio and Fremantle on-baller Heath Black with Makepeace already considered just a 50/50 proposition to be fit for Friday night's first Test at Subiaco.

It was just the start the Australians didn't want as players took part in a 60 minute trial match, which was played in surprisingly cold and blustery conditions.

Makepeace ended the game on crutches and with a badly corked thigh after colliding with Russell Robertson in a marking contest while Deledio wrenched his shoulder and was suffering from lower body soreness, as he spent the second half inside the Australian team's dressing rooms, while Black rolled an ankle.

With only a 27 man squad and with 23 players - 15 on the ground and eight on the bench - to play against Ireland, the Australians know they cannot afford too many injuries.

Australian coach Kevin Sheedy said after the game he would definitely not play any injured players against Ireland saying he would call up "one or two" reinforcements if needs be.

"If we have to we will, we can always bring anyone into the side that have either played this game before or have just missed out on selection," he said.

"We won't be playing anyone with an injury, we shouldn’t do that to the player or his club and we won't misuse our position."

"I wouldn’t be going in thinking a player has got an injury and we (by playing him) will make it worse, we will go out there with a fully-fit squad and give it our best shot.'

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=234372

[mightytiges]

I wish the wouldn't use the word "wrenched" . Let's hope it's only something minor and Lids is ok.

[mightytiges]

Meanwhile the Australians are increasingly confident that Brett Deledio (shoulder), Troy Makepeace (corked thigh) and Heath Black (ankle) will all be fit to play in Friday night's first Test at Subiaco after all pulled up well on Monday following minor injuries during Sunday's intra-squad practice match.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=234506

Thank goodness for that!

[Moi]

Hate shoulder injuries - can be nasty little things.  Glad he's okay 
Hope he gets a game - he's had an awesome year!